The journey to Naya Pakistanon August 14, 2018On a day when the nation is celebrating the 71st Independence Day with due reverence and paying tribute to the memory of the country’s founder Quaid-i-Azam Muhammad Ali Jinnah, the newly elected parliamentarians are all set to elect the 22nd Prime Minister of Pakistan. Pakistan Tehreek-i-Insaf (PTI), and its allies in the National Assembly, have leading numbers and Imran Khan is most likely to be … [Read more...] about The journey to Naya Pakistan
The elephant in the roomon August 9, 2018The gradual erosion of social infrastructure, endemic poverty and the growing inequality have made our society violent and militarised. Pakistan is currently faced with numerous existential issues including lack of good governance, the population boom, rising violent crime — especially against women and climate change. A substantial proportion of the population remains deprived of the basic … [Read more...] about The elephant in the room
A democracy by undemocratic meanson July 31, 2018Back in 2013, the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) was protesting the Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz’s (PML-N) rigging. The latter had emerged victorious after receiving the highest number of votes in the 2013 General Elections. Now, it is quite the opposite. This time, it is the PML-N which is leading the protests. The demand then, was same as today; no to rigging, no to corruption and no to … [Read more...] about A democracy by undemocratic means
Naya Pakistan: the challenges aheadon July 27, 2018Imran Khan and his party are all set to form the new government. Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf emerged as the single largest party in the country, securing a simple majority in the National Assembly. A total of 137 seats are required to form the central government, and so far the PTI is the closest to that number with a very wide margin. Millions of voters flocked to polling stations to exercise their … [Read more...] about Naya Pakistan: the challenges ahead
Election 2018 — what’s at stake?on July 25, 2018The country today is witnessing its 13th General Elections and more than 100 million Pakistanis will have the chance to cast their vote for candidates to Provincial and National Assemblies. There are a total of 342 seats up in the National Assembly, out of which 272 are general seats while the remaining 70 are special seats reserved for women and ethnic minority candidates. Provincial … [Read more...] about Election 2018 — what’s at stake?
Critical times for Pakistanon March 23, 2018As a practice to write editorials and articles on Pakistan Day, every year, it is inevitable that much of what is written should have become clichéd over the years and many of the observations made should have assumed a hefty air. The disgusting tale of Pakistan’s politics continues, unfolding in the same weird and bizarre fashion that has been its trademark for the past 70 years. The … [Read more...] about Critical times for Pakistan
Asma Jahangir — the iron ladyon February 13, 2018Pakistan’s fearless rights campaigner and lawyer, Asma Jahangir, served two terms as Chairperson of the Human Rights Commission of Pakistan and was the first woman president of the Supreme Court Bar Association of Pakistan. She breathed her last in Lahore yesterday. Her funeral will be offered today. I have had many interactions with her and seen her assertive, loud and clear, energetic and … [Read more...] about Asma Jahangir — the iron lady
Quaid-e-Azam — a leader par excellenceon December 25, 2017When frustration and despondency envelop a period of history like blinding fog, there arises at times a genius among his people, whose confidence in himself and the cause he advocates become the solid foundation on which is built the magnificent mansion of immortal achievement. The first half of the 20th century was one such period confronting the Muslims of the Indo-Pak sub-continent and … [Read more...] about Quaid-e-Azam — a leader par excellence
Some wounds, even time can’t healon December 16, 2017They say there is a reason, They say that time will heal, But neither time nor reason, Will change the way I feel, No-one knows the heartache, That lies behind my smile, No-one knows how many times, I have broken down and cried, I want to tell you something, So there won’t be any doubt, You’re so wonderful to think of, But so hard to be … [Read more...] about Some wounds, even time can’t heal
Women empowerment through social safety netson September 20, 2017Pakistan is a developing country and most of its population lives in undesirable circumstances. A large number of people in our country do not have a proper place to live, this miserable condition has given birth to a large number of beggars and needy people to survive on the charities. The economic condition of an average individual is not encouraging. Poverty, hunger and unemployment have … [Read more...] about Women empowerment through social safety nets
